Chords + Lyrics | Parisienne Walkways
Intro
| 6/8 N.C (A) | (E C) |
| Am | Am | Dm7 | Dm7 |
| Dm7/G | Dm7/G | Cmaj7 | Cmaj7 |
| F | F | Bm7b5 | Bm7b5 |
| E7sus4 | E7 | A5 N.C (A) | (E C) |
Verse 1
| Am | Am | Dm7 | Dm7 |
I remember Paris in ’49.
| Dm7/G | Dm7/G | Cmaj7 | Cmaj7 |
The Champs-Élysées, Saint Michelle and old Beaujolais wine.
| F | F | Bm7b5 | E7 |
And I recall that you were mine,
| A | D/A | A5 N.C | N.C |
in those Parisienne days.
Solo 1
| Dm7 | Dm7 | Dm7/G | Dm7/G |
| Cmaj7 | Cmaj7 | Fmaj7 | Fmaj7 |
| Bm7b5 | Bm7b5 | Esus4 | E |
| Asus4 | D/A | A5 N.C | N.C |
Verse 2
| Dm7 | Dm7 |
Looking back at the photographs.
| Dm7/G | Dm7/G | Cmaj7 | Cmaj7 |
Those summer days spent outside corner cafes.
| Fmaj7 | Fmaj7 | Bm7b5 | Bm7b5 |
Oh, I could write you paragraphs,
| B7 | B7 | E | F |
about my old Parisienne days.
Solo 2
| E N.C | N.C | N.C | N.C |
| Dm7 | Dm7 | Dm7/G | Dm7/G |
| Cmaj7 | Cmaj7 | Fmaj7 | Fmaj7 | Bm7b5 | E7 |
||: Am | Dm7 | Am | F E :|| x8
Parisienne Walkways Chords: Exploring the Complexities of the Progressions
There’s more to Parisienne Walkways’ chords than one might initially assume. It’s easy to get consumed by the impressive lead guitar work, but the chord progressions themselves hold plenty of interest.
Let’s break down how each section is slightly varied, starting with the intro.
Intro
The cello-like swells are based on an Am arpeggio. We then move around the cycle of 4ths with some clever extensions.
Starting with VI – II, the V chord is actually a II chord with its 4th in the bass (Dm7/G). Cmaj7 serves as the I chord, and F here is not a maj7. E7sus4 to E adds extra tension, forming a IIIx. We then stop on an A5 — neither major nor minor, which is quite clever.
| Am | Am | Dm7 | Dm7 |
| Dm7/G | Dm7/G | Cmaj7 | Cmaj7 |
| F | F | Bm7b5 | Bm7b5 |
| E7sus4 | E7 | A5 N.C (A) | (E C) |
Verse
The first verse mirrors the intro but changes slightly after the F chord. After the Bm7b5, we move to E7 earlier than expected, then play A (now major!), D/A, and finish with a stop.
| Am | Am | Dm7 | Dm7 |
| Dm7/G | Dm7/G | Cmaj7 | Cmaj7 |
| F | F | Bm7b5 | E7 |
| A | D/A | A5 N.C | N.C |
Solo 1
The first solo transitions directly to chord II. F becomes Fmaj7, and D/A shifts from Asus4, not just A.
| Dm7 | Dm7 | Dm7/G | Dm7/G |
| Cmaj7 | Cmaj7 | Fmaj7 | Fmaj7 |
| Bm7b5 | Bm7b5 | Esus4 | E |
| Asus4 | D/A | A5 N.C | N.C |
Verse 2
The next verse brings another variation. Towards the end, we play a B7 chord, pointing to E and F before stopping on the longest note ever, setting up the final solo.
| Dm7 | Dm7 | Dm7/G | Dm7/G |
| Cmaj7 | Cmaj7 | Fmaj7 | Fmaj7 |
| Bm7b5 | Bm7b5 | B7 | B7 | E | F |
Outro Solo
Finally, the outro solo introduces new chords. After playing part of the verse again, these final chords come into play.
| E N.C | N.C | N.C | N.C |
| Dm7 | Dm7 | Dm7/G | Dm7/G |
| Cmaj7 | Cmaj7 | Fmaj7 | Fmaj7 | Bm7b5 | E7 |
||: Am | Dm7 | Am | F E :|| x8
To get TAB for how to play all these chords (and the lead guitar work as well, of course), check the TAB lesson here: Parisienne Walkways – Guitar Lesson with TAB.
Here’s a chord chart summing it all up. I’ve placed the stops at the beginning of each section rather than at the end of the previous one.
Parisienne Walkways Chord Chart | PDF + iReal Pro Download
Should you want to download and print the correct chords for Parisienne Walkways to keep in your back pocket, you can do so with this PDF: Parisienne Walkways chord chart PDF.
If you have bigger aspirations and want to change the key or alter my arrangement layout (change the stops, maybe?), you can opt for the iReal Pro format: Parisienne Walkways iReal Pro.
Parisienne Walkways TAB | Course Preview
In the course, we first study all the rhythm guitar parts, which are very repetitive in terms of patterns, but the chords themselves change constantly.
Once you’ve got that down, it’s time to learn the lead lines. As a preview, here’s the intro solo.
Parisienne Walkways was a co-write between Gary and Phil
Originally an instrumental piece, Parisienne Walkways took shape when Gary Moore played it to Phil Lynott (Thin Lizzy) one night and Phil began writing lyrics. That’s when the song truly came together.
To achieve the huge note Moore holds at the end of the song, it’s best to crank up the amp—preferably to 10.
If you listen closely, you’ll notice the similarities between the chord progression of Parisienne Walkways and Gary Moore’s other smash hit, Still Got the Blues.
For those interested in songwriting, take a moment to examine how both melodies follow the chords. It’s a great example of the craftsmanship involved in creating a memorable piece.
Or perhaps just start working on the lead lines in the TAB lesson—don’t forget to turn that amp up to 10!
Parisienne Walkways Chords | Related Pages
Want to master this song? Check out the full TAB lesson here: Parisienne Walkways (Gary Moore) Guitar Lesson with TAB.
Alternatively, here are five similar tunes you might enjoy:
